Investigators at the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health say their longitudinal study published Dec. 4 in Human Reproduction suggests links between in utero or peripubertal exposure to personal-care ingredients – namely phthalates, parabens and other phenols – and altered pubertal timing in girls. The study followed 338 children from before birth to adolescence, finding signs of earlier puberty onset in the daughters of mothers who had higher levels of triclosan and 2,4-dichlorophenol biomarkers in their urine while pregnant. Accelerated pubertal developments also were observed in girls with relatively high urinary concentrations of methyl paraben and propyl paraben, as measured at age nine. The authors note limitations to their research, including the assessed chemicals’ rapid metabolization, such that “one or two urinary measurements per developmental point may not accurately reflect usual exposure.” Further, they accept that noted associations could reflect reverse causality – i.e., “children going through puberty early may be more likely to use personal-care products.” Regardless, the study is receiving wide media attention, doing no favors for the ingredients’ already shady reputations.
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